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This Strike-off Letter (SOL) will update several publications in regards to standardizing traffic
signal backplates, and will be effective on July 1, 2017 on all new and upgrades to existing
traffic signal instalations. Prior to that date it is encouraged to follow this SOL whenever
possible. This standardizing of traffic signal backplates was agreed upon at the April 6 – April 7, 2016 District Traffic Engineers Meeting held in State College, PA.

Safety benefits are anticipated as a result of this standardization, such as visibility being
enhanced, and motorists expecting the same traffic signal setup at intersections. According to
Institute of Transportation Engineers, traffic signal backplates with retroreflective borders
ultimately leads to fewer crashes at signalized intersections (ITE Journal June 2015, Nabors et
al).

The following publications have been updated as follows (attached are the revised pages with
changes shown in red, and new pages with the changes to replace the old publication pages):

1) Publication 408 (pages 955-1, 1104-21, and 1124-2):
a. Section 955 has been changed to follow the traffic signal backplate information relayed in section 1104.
b. Section 1104 has been changed to state that traffic signal backplates shall be one piece aluminum, black, between 5 and 8 inches, and include yellow retroreflective tape around the edges among other items.
c. Section 1124 has been changed to reference section 1104 in regards to backplates.

2) Publication 149 (pages 6-5, 16-12, and 20-14): changes are to reference the
Publication 408, Section 1104 for how traffic signal backplates should be installed,
along with showing several references to traffic signal backplates being
standardized.

This SOL and clearance transmittal process was reviewed in accordance with Publication 693:
Specification Review Manual (Chapter 2.1 Standard Clearance Transmittal Process). Clearance transmittal process was performed for this as Clearance Transmittal CT T-16-014 for July 26, 2016 to August 26, 2016. Comment responses to all commenters were accepted per Publication 693.

Should you have any questions, please contact Benjamin Flanagan, Manager of the Traffic
Operations Deployment and Maintenance Section at (717) 705-1448.

This Strike-off Letter (SOL) revises Publication 213 – Temporary Traffic Control Guidelines.
This SOL is effective from the date issued.

These revisions are to PATA 703 and Appendix D which includes eliminating the permit
requirement for PATA 703. PATA 703 applies to situations using Pedestal-mounted Temporary
Traffic Signals in Complex Conditions.

All of the revisions were reviewed as a two-step Clearance Transmittal. In addition, the PATA
was piloted in coordination with District 11 and was discussed with the District Work Zone
Manages at the 2016 Statewide Work Zone Managers meeting.

In addition, Appendix D has been revised to reflect the changes to PATA 703, as well as
updating the forms to the current revisions. In addition, TE-161 has been updated to include
guidance for notifying the Department when PATAs 701, 702 or 703 are used.

Attached are copies of PATA 703 and Appendix D to replace the corresponding sections of the
June 2014 revision of Publication 213.

Should you have any questions, pleae contact Matthew Briggs, Manager, Temporary Traffic
Control Unit, at 717.783.6268.

oRevises recommended four weeks invoicing interval to four to six weeks

§Pub 93, Section 4.6.3

§Pub 442, Section 4.1

The new policy and procedures and specifications outlined herein are effective immediately and will be incorporated into the next editions of Publication 93 and Publication 442.
Should you require any additional information, please contact Michele L. Harter, P.E.,
Chief of the Contract Management Section, at (717) 783-9457.

The purpose of this Strike-off Letter (SOL) is to advise Department and external
business partners of a recent decision related to Buy America Requirements and their
impact on the Department’s certification and acceptance policy of products made from or
containing steel or iron.

This Strike-off Letter (SOL) is to clarify the requirements for the utilization of shadow vehicles in conjunction with mowing operations along conventional highways as well as freeways and
expressways. The attached drawings and notes provide information pertaining specifically to
mowing operations. Relief from the shadow vehicle requirement has been provided for mowing
along freeways and expressways where the tractor does not encroach upon the shoulder while
actively mowing.

Should you have any questions, please contact Matthew Briggs, Work Zones and Regulations
Unit, at 717.783.6268.

The new policy and procedures outlined herein are effective immediately and will be
incorporated into the next edition of Publication 93 and Publication 442.
Should you require any additional information, please contact Michele L. Harter, P.E.,
Chief of the Contract Management Section, at (717) 783-9457.

This Strike-off Letter (SOL) is to inform you that a modification has been made to the Application Statement as shown in the Publication 213, Temporary Traffic Control Guidelines 06/14 edition.The Application Statement is found on the reverse side of the cover page. A new opening paragraph has been created to provide background on Pennsylvania’s adoption of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). A new final paragraph has been added which lists three categories utilized in the MUTCD (Standard, Guidance and Option), and provides an explanation of each which reinforces Pennsylvania adoption of the standard statements.

Attached is a copy of the new Application Statement that should be inserted into printed copies
of Publication 213.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Matthew Briggs, Manager, Work Zone and Regulations Unit, at 717.783.6268.

The intent of this Strike-Off Letter is to establish an updated process for the inspection and data management of guide rail end treatments.
In 2005, the FHWA determined that ET-Plus guard rail end terminal met the relevant crash test criteria and therefore was eligible for Federal-aid highway funding. In the Fall of 2014, a jury issued a verdict that Trinity made a false or fraudulent claim to FHWA when it sought the eligibility determination for the ET-Plus. Additionally, a number of parties have raised concerns about the in-service performance of the ET-Plus and the potential variability in the dimensions of installed units of the ET-Plus. As a result, FHWA is undertaking a number of efforts to assess these issues. The FHWA continues to evaluate and study these end treatments, but to date there are no findings or test results to indicate that they are unsafe.

1. Publication 23, Maintenance Manual, Section 11.5 states that “inspections should be made at least twice a year, in the spring after the snow season is over, and in the fall prior to the snow season. These inspections should be concerned with alignment, appearance and general condition. Any sections in need of repairs or maintenance must be noted and scheduled for repair by the County Manager.”

Also stated, “it is important that damaged guide rail systems in need of repair are done so in a timely manner to minimize risk exposure to the department and our motorists. Particular emphasis is to be placed on completing necessary springtime guide rail system repairs following the winter maintenance season, especially those repairs that could not physically be made over the winter months. By May 20th all identified springtime repairs are to be completed on the interstate and expressway highways.”

2. Through the Systematic Techniques to Analyze and Manage Pennsylvania’s Pavements (STAMPP) program, existing guide rail is currently surveyed on a four year cycle. With regard to end treatments, the survey indicates whether or not there has been damage. End treatment repairs/upgrades/replacements are generally addressed through construction contracts or through District/County guide rail contracts.

Both Trinity Industries and PennDOT conducted surveys of ET-Plus end treatments in the Fall of 2014. These surveys uncovered a need to review end treatment inspection and maintenance policies, and consider changes.

After consideration of various options, the STAMPP program will continue to be the process for cataloging and surveying the end treatments for damage and maintenance needs. The semi-annual inspections described in the Maintenance Manual will also continue.

However, in light of the determined need for improved survey data, the STAMPP survey process will be enhanced by including the attached General End Treatment Inspection Checklist in Publication 33 (Shoulder and Guide Rail Condition Survey Field Manual). Any items listed on the checklist, noted as “no” from the inspection will be defined as damaged.

STAMPP data undergoes Quality Assurance review and is stored in the Roadway Management System (RMS). Damaged guide rail end treatment data can be viewed and reported. To that end, the Bureau of Maintenance and Operations, Asset Management Division, will provide year end reports to identify all locations of damaged end treatments, along with the type and date surveyed.

It is also recommended to identify guide rail needs as part of the Scoping Field View Process for highway construction projects. The attached inspection check list may be used to document conditions and locations to be addressed, and can be attached to Field View minutes.

The updated STAMPP survey process will be incorporated into the next edition of Pub. 33, and will be implemented for the 2016 surveys.

As a result of the PennDOT Next Generation initiative, this Strike-off Letter issues revisions to the September 2010 edition of Publication 10C, Transportation Engineering Procedures; the September 2010 edition of Publication 10X, Appendices to Design Manuals 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C, the March 2015 edition of Publication 93, Policy and Procedures for the Administration of Consultant Agreements; and the February 2013 edition of Publication 378, The Right-of-Way Manual revising the plan review policy for right-of-way plans.

This time neutral Strike-Off Letter (SOL) requires the use of Bentley’s gINT® software
for all PennDOT projects with geotechnical constituents for new engineering agreements or new supplements executed after March 12, 2015. The implementation of gINT software is a PennDOT Next Generation Initiative.

The intent of this Strike-Off Letter is to establish as policy updated requirements related to Life Cycle Cost Analyses (LCCA) and Alternate Pavement Type Bidding. Strike-Off Letters 482-13-07 and 482-14-21 are hereby rescinded.
The policy in Publication 242, Chapter 11 – Pavement Type Determination has been rewritten to reflect the changes.

This Strike-Off Letter revises Publication 93, Sections 5.4.1, Good Faith Effort to Obtain DBE Participation and Section 5.4.2, DBE Certification. This Strike-Off Letter also adds Publication 93, Sections 5.4.8, NAICS codes with DBE commitment information and Section 5.4.9, DBE Termination notice Requirement. These revisions and additions are required to implement the recent DBE Final Rule policy changes.
Key components of the new policy include:
• Requires all federally-funded agreements selected after February 1, 2015 to include NAICS codes which correspond to the project scope of work .
• Adds a DBE termination notice requirement.
• Revises list of types of actions that should be considered part of the consultant’s Good Faith Effort.
• Revises list of Certifying participants in the PA UCP.
The new policy and procedures outlined herein are effective immediately and will be
incorporated into the next edition of Publication 93.

September 8, 2014 The intent of this Strike-Off Letter is to amend Strike Off Letter 482-14-14, issued March 25, 2014, and 482-14-04, issued January 10, 2014, to further revise the Save Harmless Clause. Publication 93, Policy and Procedures for the Administration of Consultant Agreements and Publication 442, Specifications for Consultant Agreements for Project Development Services are revised by updating the existing Save Harmless Clause.

September 8, 2014 The intent of this Strike-Off Letter is to revise Publication 93, Policy and Procedures for the Administration of Consultant Agreements by increasing the maximum allowable amount of an individual work order on non-project specific open end agreements, and revising the capacity for non-project specific open end agreements.

The intent of this Strike-Off Letter is to implement as policy revisions to Publication 442, Specifications for Consultant Agreements for Project Development Services, by adding Section 1.7, Diverse Business Participation for Non-Federally Funded Projects. The attached pages 1.3 through 1.8 have been added to reflect the changes.

The additional section is prompted by Act 89 legislation, has been developed in cooperation with the Office of Chief Counsel, and is required for State Funded consultant agreements awarded after July 1, 2014.Should you require any additional information, please contact J. Michael Long, P.E., Chief of the Contract Management Section, at (717) 787-7894.

(June 6, 2014) This Strike-off Letter (SOL) is time neutral and replaces 494-14-02 “Publication 213 – Temporary Traffic Control Guidelines” (dated March 10, 2014). With this SOL, this edition of Publication 213 becomes effective as follows:

Department ECMS Projects – All projects with a Let Date after September 1, 2014.

Highway Occupancy Permits Activities– All permits issued on or after July 1, 2014. However all permits issued in the Electronic Permitting System (EPS) prior to July 1, 2014 may continue to use previously approved traffic control plans for the duration of the permit work.

Department Maintenance Operations – July 1, 2014.

All other work zone applications - July 1, 2014.

The Bureau of Maintenance and Operations (BOMO) evaluated the publication and has made updates based on recent comments received. Attached are a summary of those changes and a table showing the pages that were updated.

(May 19, 2014) This Strike-off Letter (SOL) is being issued in conjunction with SOL 482-14-15. It is intended to save time and is cost neutral. The purpose of this SOL is to delegate Plan Reviews for PennDOT Oversight minor and moderate complexity projects and institute minor changes to plan presentation.

The following pages are being modified in Publication 14M, Design Manual 3, and will be incorporated into the next publication revision or change:

The intent of this Strike-Off Letter is to implement as policy revisions to Publication 93, Policy and Procedures for the Administration of Consultant Agreements, Section 3.6, Price Proposal Evaluation. The attached pages 3.18 through 3.28 have been revised to reflect the changes.

The new policy defines new methodology for determining consultant profit factors. The proposed method has been developed jointly with the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania (ACEC/PA) and has received the concurrence of our Program Management Committee (PMC).

The new policy will be effective for all consultant price proposals submitted on or after June 1, 2014, and will be incorporated into the next revision of Publication 93.

This Strike-Off Letter revises Publication
93, Policy and Procedures for the

Administration of Consultant
Agreements.

(June 25, 2014) This is a time and cost neutral activity. The intent of this Strike-off Letter is to establish, as pilot policy, updated requirements related to Life Cycle Cost Analyses (LCCA) and Alternate Pavement Type Bidding. The pilot period will extend six months at which time the alternate bidding process and LCCA will be evaluated for full implementation or potential extension of the pilot period.
Strike Off Letter 482-14-05, issued January 10, 2014, is amended
to further revise

Section 4.3 in order to clarify several issues related to
consultant inspection agreements, staff substitutes, and wage rate
approvals. These changes have been coordinated with the American Council
for Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania (ACEC/PA). Updated pages 4.4
through 4.21 are attached. Pages 4A1-through 4A-3, changed by Strike Off
Letter 482-14-05, are also attached.

Additionally, Sections 2.8 and 2.9 have been revised to reflect
changes related to consultant selection committees. Pages 2.17 through
2.21 are hereby deleted and replaced with the attached pages.

The new policy and procedures outlined herein are
effective on the date of this letter and will be incorporated into the
next revision of Publication 93.

SOL 482-14-14 - Publication 93 & 442 - Save Harmless Clause(March 25, 2014) The intent of this Strike-Off Letter is to amend Strike Off Letter 482-14-04, issued January 10, 2014, further revise the Save Harmless Clause and establish an effective date related to the subject policy change. Publication 93, Policy and Procedures for the Administration of Consultant Agreements and Publication 442, Specifications for Consultant Agreements for Project Development Services are revised by updating the existing Save Harmless Clause.Consultants must attach a Certificate of Insurance to the technical proposal for each agreement and supplement. All Technical Proposals for agreements and supplements submitted on or after April 7, 2014 must have an attached Certificate of Insurance. Legal agreements and legal supplements will not be created without this proof of insurance.482-14-14Publication 93 - page 5.4Publication 442 - page 3.1

(January 10, 2014) In keeping with current Department policy regarding the use of older Blue Book rates, we are hereby providing notification that effective January 13, 2014, Blue Book rates dated 2012 will be considered void and will no longer be accepted.

(January 10, 2014) This is a time neutral, cost neutral activity. The intent of this Strike-Off Letter is to revise Publication 93, Policy and Procedures for the Administration of Consultant Agreements by adding a Save Harmless Clause and revise Publication 442, Specifications for Consultant Agreements for Project Development Services by updating the existing Save Harmless Clause.

(January 10, 2014) This is a time neutral, cost neutral activity. The intent of this Strike-Off Letter is to implement as policy revisions to Publication 93, Policy and Procedures for the Administration of Consultant Agreements, Section 4.3.2, Wage Rate Approvals. The attached pages 4.5 through 4.21, and 4A-1 through 4A-3 have been revised to reflect the changes.

(January 10, 2014) This a time neutral, cost neutral activity. The intent of this Strike-Off Letter is to implement as policy revisions to Publication 93, Policy and Procedures for the Administration of Consultant Agreements, Chapter 7, Third Party Federal Aid Agreements. The attached pages 7.1 through 7.18 have been revised to reflect the changes.

(January 10, 2014) This is a time savings activity. In preparation for the Decade of Investment and to expedite the time to deliver a project, a one-time waiver will be made to Publication 93, Procedures for the Administration of Consultant Agreements concerning Open-end Agreements.

SOL 482-13-19 - Contract Management Section, Public 93

(August 22, 2013) Please see links below regarding Strike Off Letter 482-13-19, which establishes as policy several revisions to Chapters 2 and 3 of Publication 93, Policy and Procedures for the Administration of Consultant Agreements. The rewrite incorporates several changes that are results of initiatives of the Consultant Agreements PennDOT Next Generation Team, along with other necessary policy changes.

SOL 482-13-15 SOL Changes to Publication 242, Pavement Policy Manual

(July
12, 2013) This Strike-off Letter institutes changes to Publication 242, Pavement Policy Manual in response to three PennDOT Next Generation initiatives. These changes are to be implemented immediately and will apply to all Pavement Designs